Second chance

Despite bitching out yesterday, and yes Ethan bitched out, he decides to try again.

As he gets closer, the black-haired girl comes into better view. She’s indeed sitting on a bench, reading something off of her phone, oblivious to your approach. She’s wearing a blouse/skirt combo that looks quite cute.

…Maybe too cute.

Ethan almost bitches out a second time, but it’s too late for that now, with him suddenly finding himself mere feet from the reading girl.

Swallowing hard, he tries the most natural greeting he’s ever done. “Hi.”

Smooth.

She looks up, slightly twitching, clearly taken off guard. “Ah- Oh… Hi…” She sets her phone down on her lap, staring up at Ethan with bright blue eyes.

Those eyes. Ethan knows those eyes. He doesn't know how or why, but he knows them. But he doesn't have time to think about it, it’s his turn to talk. “How are you?”

So smooth.

The girl tilts her head. “I’m… Well. Yourself?”

“Same,” Ethan clears his throat, realizing he needs to step his fucking game up. “I saw you yesterday and I wanted to say ‘hi’ then, but I, uh, had those groceries.”

Smiling, the girl gives a slight nod. “I saw you too. Did you…” she smacks her lips, clearly not having thought out the question before she started speaking. “Find everything you needed?” She winces as she squeaks out the last word, having zero confidence in the question.

“Yeah, yeah,” Ethan nods. “Well, no. Kind of. You see, I’m new in town and I’m kinda trying to meet people. So, in some weird kinda way… I did not then, but maybe I have now?

Silky fucking smooth.

The girl’s brow furrows slightly, the faintest hint at… Something. Something Ethan’s too anxious to recognize at least. Whatever it was breaks, and the girl lets out a delicate chuckle.

“Oh wow, you really don’t recognize me, do you?”

Ethan’s lips form a thin line. He does recognize…